The Reasons Fin Smith Is The National Team's Top Choice Fly-Half

According to rugby specialists, the young playmaker has shown that he merits the starting position for the national team's number ten against New Zealand this weekend.

The Northampton Saints star delivered arguably the best defensive performance we have seen from an England fly-half for quite some time.

His courageous approach by consistently making his tackles against a physical Fijian team was impressive.

His game management was also immense - he showed an excellent balance of finesse and composure, while executing several crucial decisions during moments were not going to plan in the first half.

Defensive Excellence Coupled with Tactical Command

His ability to calm the squad tactically while making important decisions is something he has truly mastered.

From my perspective, Fin Smith is England's number one fly-half and he should begin against New Zealand this weekend.

I think head coach Steve Borthwick sees it that way too, since Smith has demonstrated his capability during important international games.

Squad Decisions Amid Rivalry

George Ford started the previous weekend against Australia for leadership considerations, with some aspect of that choice was to provide continuity while acknowledging his performance from the tour to South America.

However, the national team's performance versus the Pacific Islanders represented a marked improvement from the performance against Australia.

The Wallabies were defeated on Italian soil last weekend, so we should avoid becoming too carried away with that win, which should have been more comprehensive given how off the pace Australia were.

The Fijian team, by contrast, were much more dangerous and presented a far tougher challenge.

Long-term Potential

The young playmaker remains just twenty-three - looking ahead two years, alongside Ford challenging him while providing backup, I believe Fin will be in an excellent position in his career.

The Harlequins star must also be considered as an option when appropriate and versus suitable opponents.

He's progressing in his career and is starting to establish himself, but he also needs the freedom to demonstrate his distinctive attributes.

Bench Impact

New Zealand brought on their impact player, who scored the decisive try to beat the Scottish team, and that shows the importance of possessing players capable of creating genuine influence as substitutes.

That kind of player might represent the deciding factor separating victory the global tournament or not.

McKenzie watches the match unfold from the bench while considering about how he can make an impact upon entering.

His decision-making and error rate have improved substantially since his early professional days.

Positional Debate

If we can get Marcus to be that kind influential player, including him among substitutes might prove beneficial.

Nonetheless, currently I don't think he is the answer at full-back, so that is a position that is still up for grabs.

The All Blacks are likely to punt to challenge the English defensive line, so it has to be impenetrable.

It is a position requiring transforming into a real strength, in defense while regarding offensive transitions threat.

Currently, I don't think Marcus is a full-back at the highest level.

I find it difficult to identify the benefit of playing him there.

I want the ball under his control frequently, but I believe this should occur in the front line, particularly during the last quarter.

Natural Instincts

Clearly there exist numerous similarities comparing Ford and Fin Smith.

Fin has the ability to make the correct choices during tense moments - his natural reactions represent traits you can really taught.

I recall as he received possession during one phase within his own half and it looked like it could be should they swung it wide.

However during these milliseconds he calculated they needed reversing the opposition since England were leading points-wise, therefore he punted to pressure them back applying the screw.

This represents the type of fly-half play that wins championships and wins global tournaments.

Complete Package

He additionally possesses composure during intensity to organise the players around him, and the understanding that he doesn't constantly serve as primary option.

I hope to witness him receiving the opportunity to show this at elite standards soon, similar to the veteran do, particularly during club level week in and week out.

In Argentina, Ford also stood up during challenging situations, previously one might suggest occasions existed he has not quite delivered during extremely tense games.

I think England possesses playmaking options capable of performing the job, though Smith's defence on top of additional qualities, it makes him the more complete all-round player.

Tactical Setup

This also indicates you don't have to adjust your defensive system when you have an assertive player in the fly-half position, rather than someone who is somewhat passive.

You could also make a strong case for Ford starting and Fin Smith entering from the bench.

There are so many considerations occurring behind closed doors, but whichever way the coaches choose to proceed, it will give New Zealand problems.

That has not always been the narrative facing New Zealand, when attention was simply on picking the right player.

On this occasion, either playmaker selected can put New Zealand significantly.

Fin's ability selecting optimal kicks while delivering for a potential territorial gains can take all the stress off England.